Nehemiah 13:3

KJV

Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now it came to pass, when they had heard {H8085} the law {H8451}, that they separated {H914} from Israel {H3478} all the mixed multitude {H6154}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing the Torah, they separated from Isra'el everyone of mixed ancestry.

Berean Standard Bible

As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 13:3 records the immediate and decisive action of the post-exilic community in Jerusalem to separate themselves from "all the mixed multitude" upon hearing the specific prohibitions of God's Law. This act of purification was a direct response to Nehemiah's reforms, aiming to restore the spiritual integrity and covenantal distinctiveness of Israel by removing foreign elements that threatened their devotion and identity as God's chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 13:3 occurs within the final chapter of the book of Nehemiah, which details Nehemiah's second governorship and his efforts to address the spiritual and social backsliding that had occurred during his absence. Chapters 8-10 describe a period of spiritual revival, covenant renewal, and commitment to the Law, including a solemn assembly where the people confessed their sins and pledged obedience. However, upon his return to Jerusalem (likely after 433 BC, as mentioned in [Nehemiah 13:6](/nehemiah/13-6 "Nehemiah 13:6 - Nehemiah's Return to Persia")), Nehemiah discovered significant compromises. These included the desecration of the temple by Tobiah the Ammonite ([Nehemiah 13:4-9](/nehemiah/13-4 "Nehemiah 13:4-9 - Tobiah's Encroachment")), neglect of the Levites' support ([Nehemiah 13:10-14](/nehemiah/13-10 "Nehemiah 13:10-14 - Neglect of the Levites")), Sabbath desecration ([Nehemiah 13:15-22](/nehemiah/13-15 "Nehemiah 13:15-22 - Sabbath Desecration")), and widespread intermarriage with foreign women ([Nehemiah 13:23-27](/nehemiah/13-23 "Nehemiah 13:23-27 - Intermarriage with Foreigners")). The specific "law" heard in [Nehemiah 13:1-2](/nehemiah/13-1 "Nehemiah 13:1-2 - Reading the Law") explicitly forbade Ammonites and Moabites from entering the assembly of the Lord, directly preceding and prompting the action described in verse 3. This verse, therefore, represents an initial, decisive step in Nehemiah's renewed efforts to purify the community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The post-exilic period (after 538 BC) was a critical time for the Jewish people. Having returned from Babylonian exile, their primary challenge was to re-establish their national and religious identity under the Mosaic Covenant. The Persian Empire, which ruled Judea, allowed a degree of self-governance, including the rebuilding of the temple and the city walls. However, the surrounding peoples—such as the Ammonites, Moabites, Samaritans, and Ashdodites—often posed significant opposition to the rebuilding efforts and exerted cultural and religious pressure. The "mixed multitude" refers to non-Israelites who had either settled among the Jews or had intermarried with them. Historically, the Law, particularly [Deuteronomy 23:3-6](/deuteronomy/23-3 "Deuteronomy 23:3-6 - Exclusion from the Assembly"), explicitly prohibited Ammonites and Moabites from entering "the assembly of the Lord forever," citing their lack of hospitality to Israel during the Exodus and their hiring of Balaam to curse them. This prohibition underscored the importance of maintaining the purity of Israel's worship and covenant relationship with Yahweh, as foreign influences often led to idolatry and syncretism, which had been a primary cause of their previous exile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Nehemiah and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, **Obedience to God's Word** is paramount; the immediate separation demonstrates that hearing the Law was not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to decisive action and practical application. This echoes the covenantal call for Israel to live by God's statutes, as seen throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "Deuteronomy - The Second Law"). Secondly, the **Purity of the Covenant Community** is a driving concern. The separation of the "mixed multitude" was a crucial step in preserving Israel's spiritual and national identity, protecting the covenant people from the corrupting influences of idolatry and practices contrary to God's commands, which foreign associations often brought. This theme is deeply rooted in the concept of Israel as a "holy nation" set apart for God ([Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel as a Holy Nation")). Finally, the principle of **Separation for Holiness** is emphasized. This act underscores the biblical imperative to distance oneself from influences that would compromise one's devotion to God, ensuring that Israel remained distinct and undefiled in their worship and way of life, a principle reiterated in passages like [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heard (שָׁמְעוּ, _sham'u_):** This Hebrew verb implies more than passive hearing; it denotes active listening with the intent to obey. In the biblical context, "hearing" the law often carries the expectation of a responsive action, a commitment to live according to its precepts. It signifies a receptive heart and mind that acknowledges the divine authority of the word spoken.
* **Separated (וַיַּבְדִּילוּ, _vayyavdilu_):** Derived from the root ב.ד.ל (_b.d.l_), this verb means "to divide," "to distinguish," or "to set apart." It is the same root used in the creation account where God "separated" light from darkness ([Genesis 1:4](/genesis/1-4 "Genesis 1:4 - God Separates Light from Darkness")) and waters from waters ([Genesis 1:6-7](/genesis/1-6 "Genesis 1:6-7 - God Separates Waters")). Here, it signifies a deliberate and decisive act of distinguishing the covenant community from those who posed a spiritual threat, emphasizing the importance of distinctness and purity for Israel's identity.
* **Mixed multitude (הָעֵרֶב רַב, _ha-'erev rav_):** Literally "the great mixture" or "the numerous mixed company." This term first appears in [Exodus 12:38](/exodus/12-38 "Exodus 12:38 - The Mixed Multitude Leaves Egypt"), referring to the non-Israelites who joined the Exodus from Egypt. While some may have sincerely joined Israel's faith, historically, this "mixed multitude" often became a source of trouble and rebellion, contributing to spiritual decline, as seen in their craving for other foods and leading Israel into sin in [Numbers 11:4](/numbers/11-4 "Numbers 11:4 - The Mixed Multitude Craves Other Foods"). In Nehemiah, it refers to those foreign elements within the community who were not fully committed to the covenant and whose presence, especially through intermarriage, threatened the spiritual integrity of the people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediate catalyst for the action. The people's response was not arbitrary but directly prompted by the public reading and understanding of God's revealed will, specifically the prohibitions concerning foreign elements in [Nehemiah 13:1-2](/nehemiah/13-1 "Nehemiah 13:1-2 - Reading the Law"). This highlights the authority of the Word of God as the basis for communal action and reform.
* **"that they separated from Israel"**: This phrase describes the decisive and collective action taken by the community. The verb "separated" (וַיַּבְדִּילוּ) implies a deliberate and active process of drawing a clear line, distinguishing between those who belonged to the covenant community and those who did not, based on the criteria of the Law. This was a communal act of purification.
* **"all the mixed multitude."**: This specifies the target of the separation. It refers to the non-Israelite elements within the community who, by their presence and influence (especially through intermarriage and foreign practices), compromised Israel's distinct covenant identity and spiritual purity. The term encompasses those who, though living among Israel, were not fully integrated into the covenant faith and posed a threat to its integrity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Cause and Effect**, where the hearing of the Law (cause) directly leads to the separation of the mixed multitude (effect), emphasizing the transformative power of divine revelation when met with obedience. The act of "separation" itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing the community's commitment to holiness and distinctness in their covenant relationship with God. It visually underscores the theological principle of being "set apart" for Yahweh. Furthermore, the narrative action serves as a **Didactic Example**, illustrating for future generations the importance of adhering to God's commands regarding purity and the dangers of compromise with foreign influences. The phrase "mixed multitude" also carries **Intertextual Allusion**, directly referencing the similar group that accompanied Israel out of Egypt, subtly reminding the reader of the historical challenges this group posed to Israel's faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 13:3 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring biblical principle of separation for holiness. Theologically, it underscores God's consistent call for His people to be distinct, set apart from the nations and their practices, in order to maintain a pure worship and an unadulterated covenant relationship. This is not merely an ethnic or social segregation, but a spiritual one, aimed at preserving the integrity of their faith and preventing the syncretism that historically led Israel astray. The immediate obedience of the people demonstrates the dynamic relationship between divine revelation and human response, where hearing God's Word necessitates decisive action to align life with His will. This commitment to purity reflects God's own holy character, inviting His people to reflect His nature in their communal life.

* [Leviticus 20:26](/leviticus/20-26 "Leviticus 20:26 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-17](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14-17 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")
* [Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 13:3 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and communities. Just as the Israelites were called to a radical act of separation based on God's revealed Law, we too are called to discern and separate ourselves from influences that compromise our devotion to Christ and the purity of our faith. This does not imply physical isolation from the world, but rather a spiritual and moral distinctness. It challenges us to examine our associations, entertainment, values, and practices, ensuring they align with biblical truth rather than worldly standards. For Christian communities, it emphasizes the vital importance of upholding biblical standards, exercising spiritual discernment, and safeguarding the spiritual health of the fellowship by addressing practices or influences that contradict God's revealed will. True obedience to God's Word often requires courageous, sometimes uncomfortable, action to maintain holiness and protect the integrity of the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "mixed multitudes" or compromising influences might be present in my life or in our church community today that need to be "separated" in order to maintain spiritual purity?**
* **How does my "hearing" of God's Word translate into immediate and decisive "action" in my daily life?**
* **In what ways can I, as an individual believer, live "in the world but not of the world" while still fulfilling the Great Commission?**

### FAQ
**Was this act of separation xenophobic or racist?**

Answer: From a biblical perspective, the separation described in Nehemiah 13:3 was not primarily about ethnicity or race in a modern sense, but about religious and covenantal purity. The Law's prohibitions against certain groups like the Ammonites and Moabites ([Deuteronomy 23:3-6](/deuteronomy/23-3 "Deuteronomy 23:3-6 - Exclusion from the Assembly")) were rooted in their historical hostility towards Israel and their pagan religious practices, which posed a direct threat to Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. The "mixed multitude" represented those who, despite living among Israel, were not committed to the God of Israel and whose foreign practices (especially through intermarriage) led to idolatry and moral compromise, as seen in [Nehemiah 13:23-27](/nehemiah/13-23 "Nehemiah 13:23-27 - Intermarriage with Foreigners"). The intent was to protect the spiritual integrity of the covenant community, not to promote racial prejudice. Converts who fully embraced the God of Israel, like Ruth the Moabitess ([Ruth 1:16](/ruth/1-16 "Ruth 1:16 - Ruth's Vow to Naomi")), were welcomed into the assembly.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 13:3 describes a physical and communal separation to maintain Old Covenant purity, it finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual transformation in Christ. The Law's demand for a "separated" people, free from defiling influences, foreshadows the spiritual purity achieved not by human effort or physical expulsion, but by the atoning work of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate purifier, whose blood cleanses us from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). In the New Covenant, the "assembly of the Lord" is the Church, a spiritual body comprising people from "every tribe and language and people and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb's Worthiness")). The call to "separation" for believers is no longer primarily a physical removal from non-believers, but a spiritual separation from the sin and corrupting values of the world system ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Do Not Be Conformed to This World")). Christ himself prayed not that His disciples would be taken out of the world, but that they would be kept from the evil one ([John 17:15](/john/17-15 "John 17:15 - Jesus Prays for His Disciples")). Through faith in Him, we are made holy and set apart for God's purposes, becoming a "holy nation, a people for his own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Holy Nation")), fulfilling the spirit of the Law's demand for purity in a new and greater way.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 9:2

And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Exodus 12:38

And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, [even] very much cattle.

Nehemiah 10:28

And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

Numbers 11:4

¶ And the mixt multitude that [was] among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

Proverbs 6:23

For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:

Psalms 119:11

¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalms 119:9

¶ BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.